SCOUTING REPORT

Strengths

With two 300-plus-pounders returning on the right side of the offensive line and a deep backfield, Ted Davidson’s split-back veer offense should give opponents all they can handle. Right guard Damian Handy and right tackle D’Quanis Robertson will team up with left guard Dequan Pete, another returning starter, to lead the way for the rushing stable of Ziggy Francis, Dillon Monette and Jaylen James. Francis’ reliability meshes well with the explosiveness of Monette and James. Couple that with second-year starting quarterback Jaylon Borel, and the Wreckin’ Rams should be able to move the football consistently.

Six starters return on defense, including three of Acadiana’s four defensive linemen. At 6-foot, 315 pounds, defensive tackle Elisha Sion brings size and a high motor. Defensive end Bishop Breaux’s speed and athleticism will help the Wreckin’ Rams bring pressure. Safeties Kanyon St. Julien and Latrell Charles will help stabilize an otherwise inexperienced secondary.

Even with some quality returning starters, the biggest question marks remain on defense for Acadiana, specifically the depth. Acadiana must find a replacement for defensive tackle Curtis Cormier, a projected starter in the spring who moved away in the offseason. But even behind the returning defensive line starters, not much experience exists. So their health will be key.

The Wreckin’ Rams will also be breaking in two new starters at linebacker in their 4-3 base defense, meaning returning linebacker Connor Breaux will be important to directing traffic in the middle of the field. Three defensive backs, including all-state performer and UL signee Bralen Trahan, are gone from the Acadiana secondary, leaving the Wreckin’ Rams with two cornerback spots to fill.

It’s hard to envision a scenario in which Acadiana isn’t a good-to-great football team, and the Rams should once again be a favorite in their own district and a contender in Class 5A. With a bevy of returning talent up front and in the backfield, Acadiana’s ground game should be dominant. Jaylon Borel is also poised to take the next step under center.

But a defense lacking depth and experience in some areas needs to mature quickly for Acadiana to avoid a sub-par start. Davidson is testing his team with a difficult non-district schedule, including hosting Kaplan and Ruston and a traveling to Carencro. Even a scrimmage against Neville and a jamboree against Notre Dame should reveal what kind of team the Wreckin’ Rams can be.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

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Acadiana High players to watch in 2017 include Bishop Breaux, Jaylon Borel, Ziggy Francis, Damien Handy and Kanyon St. Julien.(Photo11: Kelly Richard/Special to the Advertiser)

Bishop Breaux, DE, 6-2, 215: One of three returning starters on the defensive line, Breaux is an explosive, athletic edge rusher. He’s a smart player, too, and excels in the classroom. His health and leadership will be key to a somewhat inexperienced defense that doesn’t have much depth up front.

Jaylon Borel, QB, 6-0, 165: The Wreckin’ Rams don’t ask quarterbacks to throw the ball often, so Borel’s 765 passing yards with eight touchdowns in 2016 won’t jump off the page. But Davidson says his second-year starter has thrown the ball well in the offseason, and the senior’s decision-making also improved last year as the season progressed. The key for Borel, however, is moving on from mistakes, Davidson said.

Ziggy Francis, RB, 5-6, 175: Francis is the most experienced rusher in a deep backfield, which includes Dillon Monette, Jaylen James, Lucky Brooks and Kablen Shelvin. Francis is dependable player and a diligent worker, including in the classroom. Last season, the senior gained 983 yards on 138 carries and scored 14 touchdowns.

Damien Handy, RG, 6-0, 310: You wouldn’t know what kind of player Handy is by his gentle demeanor off the field, Davidson said. But the senior, who moved from center to guard in the offseason, is a nasty player in the trenches who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Handy and talented tackle D’Quanis Robertson form a heavy and fearsome duo on the right side of the line.

Kanyon St. Julien, DB, 6-0, 175: In a secondary needing to replace three all-district performers, St. Julien will be charged with getting the defense in position to make stops. The senior safety is the only defensive back who was full-time starter last season, but safety Latrell Charles, a long and athletic player, also has starting experience.